Exploring the Connection: Ikigai and Albert Schweitzer's Tetralemma

In the quest for personal fulfillment and purpose, two intriguing concepts emerge as powerful frameworks: Ikigai and Albert Schweitzer's Tetralemma. Each offers a unique perspective on finding meaning in life, and when we delve into their core principles, we discover striking connections that can help us navigate our journey to a more meaningful existence.

Ikigai: Finding Your Purpose

Ikigai, a Japanese concept that translates to "a reason for being," is often represented as a Venn diagram with four intersecting circles. These circles encompass four key elements:

1. What you love: This represents your passions and the activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. Your loves and passions are a deeply unique expression of your self, reflecting what you strive towards and what fundamentally makes you who you are. Just as in the film "Amelie Poulain," our likes and dislikes are far from arbitrary traits; they express an existential aspect of our being, shaping our sense of purpose and identity.

2. What you are good at: Here, we explore our strengths, skills, and talents that make us unique and valuable to others. It's important to note that being "good at" something implies not only a personal aptitude but also a comparative aspect. It involves not just recognizing your abilities but also acknowledging that others recognize these talents and skills as valuable and distinctive.

3. What you can be paid for: This aspect focuses on the practicality of your pursuits and how they can sustain your livelihood. It represents the material aspect of your daily life, encompassing the means through which you can provide for yourself and others.

4. What you think the world needs: It delves into your sense of purpose and how your actions can contribute positively to society. This sense of purpose is often driven by the idea that not everything is perfect, that the world could be better, aligning with your ideal vision of it.

Albert Schweitzer's Tetralemma: A Different Perspective

Albert Schweitzer, a philosopher, and theologian introduced the Tetralemma, a concept rooted in four interconnected facets:

1. Self-affirmation: This aspect deals with understanding and affirming your own identity and existence.

2. Other affirmation: It involves recognizing the presence and identity of others, acknowledging their individuality.

3. World idealization: Here, we explore our ideals, values, and the larger context of the world, often involving our desire to make it better.

4. Concrete experience: This facet focuses on our direct, tangible experiences and how they shape our understanding of the world.

Connecting the Dots

Now, let's draw the parallels between these two profound frameworks:

• Self-affirmation (Tetralemma) and What You Love (Ikigai): Both emphasize the importance of understanding and affirming one's own identity and passions. Self-affirmation in the Tetralemma aligns with the "What you love" aspect of Ikigai.

• Other affirmation (Tetralemma) and What You Are Good At (Ikigai): Acknowledging the presence and identity of others in the Tetralemma resonates with recognizing your strengths and talents in the "What you are good at" element of Ikigai.

• World Idealization (Tetralemma) and What You Think the World Needs (Ikigai): Schweitzer's concept of world idealization, which involves striving for a better world, parallels the desire to contribute positively to society in Ikigai's "What you think the world needs."

• Concrete Experience (Tetralemma) and What You Can Be Paid For (Ikigai): The tangible, direct experiences we encounter in the Tetralemma align with the practicality and sustainability of our pursuits in the "What you can be paid for" aspect of Ikigai.

A Harmonious Blend

By intertwining these two powerful frameworks, we create a more holistic approach to finding purpose and meaning in life. Recognizing the connections between self-affirmation, other affirmation, world idealization, and concrete experience in the Tetralemma and mapping them to the four fields of Ikigai allows us to explore our passions, strengths, societal contributions, and practicality in a more comprehensive way.

In essence, the synergy between Ikigai and the Tetralemma encourages us to seek a harmonious blend of self-discovery, personal growth, and societal impact. By embracing both perspectives, we embark on a journey towards a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life, where our unique identities and aspirations converge with the needs of the world around us.

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PS21 es un grupo de trabajo formado por personas polímatas que ponen sus habilidades al servicio de las empresas e instituciones para la innovación y creación de soluciones inteligentes facilitando así la transición hacia la economía 5.0.